I need help from you 80s music lovers!

Submitted by Ordinary_Car_5077 t3_yd5115 in Music

I'm raising my grandson (both parents deceased), he is 8. And he loves music, especially rock n roll. He has been through the 50s, 60s and 70s, listening to his favorites: Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Queen, and David Bowie, to name but a few. In the last few years, he has gained an almost encyclopedic knowledge of rock, knowing when each album was released, who played on the album, etc. He does have challenges: severe PTSD, ADHD, anxiety disorder, and may also have some form of autism. Anyway, he is looking for some good 80s rock, and I find it difficult to help him find this. It's prob because didn't like most 80s bands. Right now, he is obsessed with Motley Crue. I would love Reddit's help in finding some great tunes for him. He is a very kind kid, but does have difficulty socializing with kids his own age. (Mostly cuz they can't talk about music with him). We read together a lot, and you already know what he likes to read about. Any suggestions of music and/or books (age appropriate) will be greatly appreciated.

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badbender14 t1_itpz47t wrote

UFO. UFO. UFO. I cannot suggest them enough, easily the most under appreciated band of the last 50 years.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itpzc52 wrote

O thank you so much, am looking them up now!

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badbender14 t1_itq0mh4 wrote

You're quite welcome, I'm always happy to turn people on to good music. I'll also suggest some more popular stuff like Sammy Hagar, VH, The Cars, Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, etc, just in case you guys aren't familiar. Also, if he has any blues leanings, a lesser known guy named Rory Gallagher is really excellent, as well as (of course) Stevie Ray Vaughan and Clapton.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr3yf8 wrote

Yes, he has the Cars, Iron Maiden, and Clapton. I will look up Rory Gallagher, and we all know Thin Lizzy! Thank you so much, you really have no idea how much you've helped!

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Iron_Chic t1_itq897e wrote

Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Clash, GnR, Skid Row, Poison, ZZ Top, The Police,

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr76n4 wrote

I think he would really like Judas Priest, my brother loved them. Thanks for the ZZ Top suggestion, I think he will really like them.

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FandomMenace t1_itq0qpc wrote

Queensryche is an amazing band known for making rock opera style albums that tell a cohesive story (Opearation Mindcrime), or songs that are more like short stories.

Megadeth is also a fantastic group, but their best album, Rust in Peace, doesn't drop until 1990.

Other great bands, but watch out for explicit lyrics: Guns N Roses, Skid Row, Winger, Cinderella, Dokken, White Lion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, AC/DC, Dio, Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, and Def Leppard.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr6i4h wrote

Thanks so much. Will definitely look into Queensryche, as he loves the Who's Tommy, and Bowie's Ziggy stardust and Alladinsane. I do have to be careful with explicit lyrics. He loves GnR, Metallica, Ozzy and AC/DC.

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FandomMenace t1_itrd9c3 wrote

GnR are the worst offenders. Skid Row has some pretty strong language as well. Def Leppard has thinly veiled sexual innuendo. Kiss is another band that does the same thing, but much of their albums from the 80s are mostly safe.

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wAsh1967 t1_itqbofe wrote

Rush and the Moving Pictures album. Every collection should have this.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr4iny wrote

Welp, holy crap, I forgot all about Rush.

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SpreadingRumors t1_its969l wrote

Rush's first three Albums really hit the spot for me. Their first, self-titled, album was with the drummer John Rutsey.
I feel it is a must in that it REALLY shows the difference between a band with an "okay" drummer (John) and a Great drummer (Neil Peart, may he rest in peace.)
These three are often overlooked, as Rush only got noticed by the world-wide music scene when 2112 was released.

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RudeAide6768 t1_itq0edx wrote

Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard have always been my go to

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230flathead t1_itq5u5z wrote

Aerosmith's 80s albums, especially Permanent Vacation and Pump are really good. I'd also recommend Devo's albums New Traditionalists and Freedom of Choice.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr2x7l wrote

Yes he does have some Aerosmith recordings. I had to tell him that he can no longer sing "Dude Looks Like a Lady" at the top of his lungs as he loves to sing!

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AnnoyingRingtone t1_itr0mx6 wrote

I cannot believe no one has mentioned Boston yet. I’d argue that they have the most iconic rock’n’roll sound from that era of music. Their first two albums ‘Boston’ and ‘Don’t Look Back’ just don’t miss. ‘Third Stage’ misses by a bit. ‘Walk On’ is saved by “Walk On” and “I Need Your Love.” It’s a shame Boston never made a fifth album. Absolutely phenomenal band.

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MagicianAnie3021 t1_its8vuq wrote

It was just to obvious to say Boston thats why lol

You know that More Than a Feeling solo is incredible!

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rachellaraynne t1_itr7j87 wrote

Alice Cooper, great music from the 1970s and onward, still putting out new stuff.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr8flk wrote

O gawd, he's going out for Halloween as Alice Cooper this year! He went as Freddy Mercury last year, complete with yellow leather jacket, and went as Michael Jackson before that. He is a musician every Halloween!

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ZiggyInKC t1_itq0ar6 wrote

Have you tried some Pink Floyd? They have a live album called Pulse which is almost a greatest hits. It's not really an 80s band - their catalog spans decades, but it's close since their biggest hits where from that decade.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr6r1s wrote

Yes, he definitely likes Pink Floyd. I will get that live album, thanks.

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mubydram t1_itr20b3 wrote

How about some 80s hardcore punk? Minor Threat was a straight-edge band so they weren't glorifying sex and drugs and violence like a lot of other 80s punk bands were doing.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itr3fe5 wrote

Thanks so much. They sound right up his alley, and I do appreciate that you thought of the sex, drugs and violence.

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mubydram t1_itr4upj wrote

You might try Fugazi also. They recorded two EPs in the late 80s and were otherwise a 90s band.

Fugazi - Give Me The Cure (1988)

That song was about AIDS.

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driving_andflying t1_itrz8pn wrote

Ozzy, Queen, and Bowie did have some 80's hits too.

As for bands, here are some suggestions:

Blondie

Men At Work

Michael Jackson

Van Halen

Jane's Addiction

The Sisters of Mercy

Eurythmics

The Police

Thomas Dolby

Howard Jones

The Thompson Twins

The Art of Noise

DEVO

. . . If you have any further questions, or want to know more bands or music, please let us know!

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gelatine15 t1_ittv2am wrote

The Ramones, Wham!, early Nirvana, GnR, Tom Petty, George Hassa's solo stuff, The Smith's, The Romantics, Billy Joel, Maiden, THE POLICE, Blondie, The stones, The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, The Clash, Judas Priest, The Vapors, Rush, Supergrass, Springsteen, The Stranglers, Dexys Midnight Runners, AC/DC, the Pretenders, Joan Jett/ The Runaways, Talking heads, U2, Motorhead, Dire Straits, Gary Numan, Joni Mitchell, Pat Benatar, Hall and Oates, Simon and Garfunkel, Tears For Fears, Starship, Journey, Billy Idol

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DevinBelow t1_itqe9bl wrote

My favorite 80's acts include REM, The Replacements, Prince, Sonic Youth. I'd highly recommend some of the earlier REM stuff like Murmur, Life's Rich Pagaent and Document, and some of that mid-era Replacements stuff like Tim and Pleased to Meet Me. Great music that holds up impeccably today.

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rocknutty t1_itra72z wrote

How about Cinderella, L.A.Gunns, Faster Pussycat.

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Naive_Wolf3740 t1_itrzyen wrote

Ratt

Racer X

Accept

Tygers of Pan Tang

Diamond Head

Mercyful Fate

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Steven-Sullivan t1_its5pnd wrote

If he is passionate about 80s rock music, have you thought about encouraging him to learn to play the guitar?

Rock is often the gateway genre to the instrument, and IMO it is quite fulfilling to hear a song you like and then learn to play it.

Also - Metallica, especially their first 5 albums

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_itswsub wrote

Yes, I have thought about it and consulted lots of people, some professional, some not. What I have taken away from numerous conversations is the fear of ruining it for him. I have been told that if he starts too early, it might take the enjoyment out of it. This child can mimic the chords to all his favorite songs now! It's unbelievable. His ADHD and anxiety could pose a problem, but he wants this BAD. I do think that it takes a very special person to teach a child like this, and they are not a dime a dozen. And he just cannot learn from a screen. He's a tactile kid. I'd love to find someone who would come to my home, or I'll bring him to them. It would be so much more impactful to see the teacher in person. Then, I'd do what the musician says. This is something I can afford to do, I've been saving for lessons since he was 3! Lessons and a Fender Stratocaster!

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MagicianAnie3021 t1_its9jca wrote

I mean come on Metallica is too obvious but they are my favorite Thrash metal especially their early albums

I would say also check out Metal Church namely the band title track, its their #1 for a reason, it's like one of the greatest Trash Metal songs I've ever heard!

Also I consider myself pretty knolegable about 70s music I would love to talk to you and your grandson about bands from this time period cuz its my favorite! On this note have either of u 2 listened to Remeber the Future by Nektar? If not its like the greatest thing I've ever heard they are my #1 of all time because of this album, its a master piece!!

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Flyguy59700 t1_itsgf7a wrote

I’d love to throw Rush in the mix, not really as heavy as what he seems to like, but I think they’re amazing, if anything their catalog of music in the 80s is their softest music, so I’d suggest listening to their first album and then onward

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Asleep-Assignment194 t1_itsvn6p wrote

Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Guns and Roses, Kiss, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Whitesnake, U2 & AC/DC

Start off with these I'm sure he'll love em

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MissAngela66 t1_itti332 wrote

Journey

REO Speedwagon

Bon Jovi

38 Special

Survivor

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spamalot78746 t1_ittu1oi wrote

Glad someone mentioned Rush already. Having grown up in the 80s, the Signals album was a definitive one for me.

You might also check out Marilllion, little known British band that had a couple of hits on the charts back then. I would recommend Misplaced Childhood and Clutching at Straws albums. Lead singer, Fish, had a great voice and the rest of the band are very talented. Clutching at Straws is a brilliant concept album, and unfortunately, the last one recorded with Fish on lead vocals.

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Ordinary_Car_5077 OP t1_iub5ovd wrote

Yes he already loves them. Thanks for thinking of him.

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